UVALDE — Dr. Maureen Frank has joined the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist for the agency’s West, Southwest and South districts.

Frank provides support to AgriLife Extension county agents and participates in program development, result demonstrations and agent training. She also develops educational materials related to wildlife and conducts applied research projects to address area wildlife management issues.

Dr. Maureen Frank is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist serving 64 counties. She is based at the agency’s district office in Uvalde. (Courtesy photo)

“Dr. Frank brings a badly needed expertise in wildlife to this area of Texas,” said Todd Swift, AgriLife Extension regional program leader for the Southern Region, based in Uvalde. “We have some of the most robust and vibrant wildlife habitat in the state, so we need someone with her knowledge and abilities to ensure we help our area landowners make the most of that natural resource.”

Swift said Frank has been visiting with agents throughout the district to introduce herself and find out what wildlife-related issues are most important to them and area landowners.

Previously, Frank was a Ph.D research and teaching assistant at Utah State University. Before that, she attended Texas A&M University in College Station, where she was a research assistant.

Frank has a Ph.D in wildlife biology from the wildland resources department at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University, College Station.

“I’m interested in ensuring landowners look at the entire landscape as it applies to wildlife and wild spaces,” Frank said. “One of my goals will be to help landowners, especially new landowners, manage their lands in a way that maximizes land quality and protects wildlife.”

She said proper land management requires human intervention and the use of the right tools to promote and maintain healthy wildlife populations.

“I’m looking forward to working directly with landowners as well as working with our AgriLife Extension agents throughout the district so they can better understand wildlife issues and help the landowners in their respective counties,” she said.

Frank has written numerous peer-reviewed publications and weblog publications, and has produced many research, invited and media presentations. She has various educational and technical certifications and is affiliated with several professional organizations, including The Wildlife Society. She also has received various awards and grants, including recognition as a Robins Award nominee and a presidential doctoral fellowship from Utah State University.

Originally appeared: http://today.agrilife.org/2016/09/29/maureen-frank-hired-new-agrilife-extension-wildlife-specialist-uvalde/

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